NRL: Williams still unsure about Manly future

David Williams has put his injury nightmares behind him to take his tally for the year to a career-best 20. Photo / Getty Images

Last Friday David Williams scored one of the best tries of the season against South Sydney to help Manly into the NRL grand final, but Sunday's clash with the Sydney Roosters could be his last for the club.

The 27-year-old winger has put his injury nightmares behind him to take his tally for the year to a career-best 20.

But more significantly is the fact he's made 26 appearances - the most since the 2008 when he helped Manly win the premiership.

However, contract negotiations to secure his long-term future are still not resolved despite the club claiming two months ago an agreement was imminent.

"It's still work in progress and it's a bit of a pain in the arse that it's taken this long, but that's rugby league and that's business,'' Williams said.

"At the moment they are all still talking about it. I have stated before that I'd love to stay here and finish as a one-club man but that may not be.

''(Brent) Kitey thought he see his career out here and he's off to Penrith so who knows.''

Williams credits his form and ability to steer clear of the physio's room down to his raw meat diet.

Coming to the end of his contract and being tagged with the label 'injury-prone' he said he'd no option but to look outside of the square for an answer.

"My back was against the wall, I hadn't played more than 15 games in the last four seasons,'' he said.

"What's the worst that could happen? I end up back on the sidelines again?

"When someone comes to you with an answer that seems logical it seemed obvious to take it.

"I am very glad that didn't dismiss it straight away.''

Williams' strict diet means socialising is awkward especially when it comes to restaurants preferring to serve their food cooked but he said the sacrifice has been worth it.

"It was a shock at first I mean who eats bloody raw food?,'' he said.

"I used to walk into a butcher and say `can you cut it up I am going to eat it now'.

"Buy once you get through the shock of it at first and start to see the benefits it's all happy days.

"And because you want to feel that way you will eat that sort of stuff.''

Having missed the grand final win over the Warriors in 2011 with a fractured vertebrae sustained against Melbourne earlier that season, Williams said he's relishing the chance to pick up a second premiership ring and is a better player than five years ago.

"The last four years have definitely not been a nice position to be in when you're not contributing to the team,'' he said.

"You feel (on grand final day) you're not part of it because you are not there at the end.

"It's nice to be on the other side of the fence for a change.''

"I was definitely riding a wave in 08. This year not so much with my training regime and my lifestyle. I am definitely putting a lot more into it.

"I like to think that is down to hard work ... but I still have a step to go and I am definitely better than `08.''

- AAP